title: [Ergotism--a rare cause of acute ischemia of the extremities].
abstract: Clinical ergotism as seen today results almost exclusively from the excessive intake of ergotamine tartrate in the treatment of migraine headache. Vasospasm of peripheral arteries is the leading clinical picture. Beside formation of collaterals and secondary thrombosis, vasospasm is one of the specific findings in angiography. Early diagnosis and withdrawal of the medication makes complete restitution possible. In all other cases intraarterial or intravenous infusion of sodium nitroprusside or nitroglycerin has turned out to be the most effective therapy. Balloon dilatation or operative intervention are an alternative therapy in those cases, where amputation of the limb seems to be necessary.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universität Köln.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Erasmi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gross-Fengels
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004879:Ergotamines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004881:Ergotism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004879:Ergotamines
vernacular_title: Ergotismus-seltene Ursache der akuten Extremitätenischämie.